Squarespace has long been praised for its beautiful templates and user-friendly interface, making it a go-to choice for creatives, small business owners, and personal websites. But in 2025, the digital landscape has evolved and so have user expectations. While Squarespace remains a popular website builder, its limitations are becoming more apparent when compared to more modern and flexible alternatives like Shopify, Webflow, and WordPress.

Here’s a breakdown of what Squarespace still can’t do in 2025 and why it might be time to consider switching.

1. Limited E-commerce Flexibility

Squarespace offers basic e-commerce features, but it lacks the depth and customization that modern online stores now demand. For instance:

You can’t create complex product filters or advanced variant logic.
There’s no native support for multi-currency checkout.
Integration with third-party fulfillment, CRM, or inventory tools is minimal.

By contrast, platforms like Shopify offer deep integration with thousands of apps, custom checkout workflows, advanced analytics, and seamless scalability.

2. No Full Control Over Design & Code

Squarespace still restricts full access to the underlying code. While it does allow some CSS and code injection, you don’t have the flexibility to:

Build custom animations or interactions.
Change page-level structure beyond templates.
Use reusable components like you can in Webflow or WordPress with Elementor.

In 2025, where personalized experiences and micro-interactions matter more than ever, these restrictions make Squarespace feel rigid.

3. Basic SEO Capabilities

Squarespace’s SEO tools haven’t kept pace with evolving best practices. While you can edit basic metadata, it lacks features like:

Schema markup customization.
Full control over URL structures.
Advanced redirects and performance monitoring.

Platforms like WordPress (with plugins like Rank Math or Yoast) and Webflow allow granular SEO configuration, giving businesses a stronger foundation for organic growth.

4. Limited Third-Party Integrations

Modern businesses rely on a tech stack CRMs, marketing automation, analytics, and support tools. Squarespace still offers limited API support and fewer native integrations, making it harder to connect with tools like:

HubSpot or Salesforce
Klaviyo or Omnisend
Advanced payment gateways or shipping providers

Shopify and WordPress, in contrast, offer robust plugin ecosystems and open APIs, making them much more extensible.

5. Not Ideal for Scaling Businesses

If you’re running a portfolio or a small blog, Squarespace may be enough. But as your business grows, you’ll quickly run into issues like:

Limited user roles and permissions
Lack of backend access or advanced database handling
No true headless CMS capability for omnichannel experiences

Alternatives like Contentful or Webflow CMS provide more scalable options for content-driven businesses, while Shopify Plus supports large-scale commerce.

6. No Built-In A/B Testing or CRO Tools

Conversion rate optimization (CRO) is a priority in 2025, yet Squarespace still lacks built-in tools for:

A/B testing headlines, CTAs, or layouts
Heatmaps or user journey tracking
Deep personalization based on user behavior

Meanwhile, platforms like Shopify support native A/B testing through apps, and Webflow integrates easily with tools like Google Optimize or VWO.

7. Limited Membership and Subscription Features

While Squarespace does offer basic membership and paywall features, it falls short when compared to specialized tools. For instance:

It’s hard to segment members or drip content.
Payment options are restricted.
There’s no robust learning management system (LMS) or community feature.

Platforms like Kajabi, Teachable, or WordPress with plugins like MemberPress provide more flexibility for subscription-based businesses.

Is It Time to Move On?

Squarespace is still a solid platform for small, visually driven websites. But in 2025, users expect more more customization, more performance, and more power. Whether you're building an online store, scaling a content business, or integrating with modern tools, Squarespace is starting to show its age.

Modern alternatives like Shopify, Webflow, and WordPress are better equipped to meet these evolving demands, offering more control, flexibility, and scalability.

Thinking of switching from Squarespace?

If you’re ready to move to a more future-ready platform, consider working with a specialized migration partner who can help you transition without downtime or data loss.

What Squarespace Still Can’t Do in 2025 Compared to Modern Alternatives